1938

A Dallas Morning News release reports that three graduates of Highland Park High School were inducted into its Hall of Fame as recipients of the school's Distinguished Alumni Award. One oversaw the construction of some of Dallas' best-known buildings. He is our Henry Beck—Congratulations, Henry!

Mr. Beck graduated from Highland Park in 1934, at age 16. He then studied at Dartmouth, earning a bachelors degree in engineering, and later took classes at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Beck worked in the late 1930s and early '40s on projects in Georgia for his father's construction company, and then joined the Navy Seabees in 1941. He returned to Dallas in 1946 to work again for his father at The Beck Group. The University Park resident eventually became president of the company and oversaw' such high-profile projects as the Cotton Bowl, North Park Center, Reunion Tower and the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel and Hotel Crescent Court. The construction business is a challenge, he says, "because you have to be able to take a set of plans and wind up with a building. It's invigorating." The businessman says he is now "basically retired," although he holds the title of chairman of the Henry C. Beck Cos. He also founded Shelter Ministries of Dallas, served on the board of trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and chaired the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. He and his wife, Nell, have four children. In a letter of nomination, former Governor Clements wrote that Mr. Beck "has been an outstanding citizen of Dallas. In my judgment, the Highland Park school system does not have a more outstanding individual as a graduate."

My thanks to Al Wolff for another excellent and interesting Pace Setter.

Finally...keep our upcoming reunion firmly in your mind!

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